"Can't tell yet, my lad. How are you, Ned--much hurt?"
"Oh, it hurts, sir, horrid," said the man faintly; "but I shouldn't mind
that. It's feeling so sea-sick and swimming I mind. Let's go back to
the yacht."
"Yes, of course; but you can't walk."
"But I will walk, sir; must walk. 'Tain't my leg, it's my arm," cried
the man, who was sick with agony, but full of spirit. "Who's going to
carry a fellow in a place like this?"
"Much hurt, mate?" said Lenny, who now crept to them on all fours.
"What's the good o' asking stupid questions, old 'un?" cried Ned
petulantly. "Course I'm much hurt. Can't you see it's gone right into
my arm? Why look at this--gone right through. Going to cut the
arrow-head out, sir?"
"No," replied the doctor sharply. "Kneel, and be a man. I won't hurt
you more than I can help."
"All right, sir. No use hollering," cried Ned cheerily.
"Look out there!" cried one of the sailors from below. "They're going
to rush us!"
"Never mind me, sir," said Ned, letting himself sink back. "You three
has to fight. Nasty cowardly beggars--shooting a man behind his back!
Let 'em have it, I say."
He had hardly spoken when the men below fired a little volley across the
gully, and then there was a cheer.
"That's scut 'em to the right-about, sir. We've dropped two," cried one
of the men, and they crept back under the dense cover to where Ned lay.
The doctor had seized his gun, but he laid it down again, and took out a
keen-bladed knife.
"Thought you wasn't going to cut out the head, sir?" said Ned faintly.
"I am not," replied the doctor.
"Oh, don't you mind me, sir. I tell you I won't shout. You do what's
right. I know it must come out; but I'd take it kindly, Mr Jack, sir,
if you'd lay hold of my hand. Cheer a fellow up a bit. Go on, doctor;
I'm game."
"That you are, my lad," said the doctor, and kneeling behind the
sufferer he took hold of the long arrow, which had completely transfixed
the fleshy part of the arm, and snapped it sharply in two on the side
where it had entered, then in an instant he had drawn the head portion
right out of the wound in the same way in which it was driven.
"That's the way, sir. Don't you be afraid to cut," said Ned sturdily,
but with his eyes shut. "I'll bear it; but I didn't know you'd got a
red-hot poker up here to dress the wound with.--What! have you got it
out?"
"Yes. Take hold of these pieces, Lenny."
"Well, you have been quick, sir. My word, it was a stinger--just like
as if twenty thousand wasps was at you. Eh! going to bind it up?"
"Yes, only lightly. It will be all the better for bleeding a bit. Now
then! We must retreat as fast as we can. Can you get up, Ned?"
"Can I get up, sir! I should just think I can! I'm not going to make a
regular how-de-do because I've got a prick from a bit of wood."
"Are the enemy coming on, men?" said the doctor sharply.
"Can't see any more of 'em, sir," sail one of the sailors. "I think
that volley scared 'em a bit."
"Here, take my arm, Ned. Jack, you come next. Come on, my lads."
"All right, sir, we will," cried Lenny.
"Who has Ned's gun?" said Jack. "That must not be left behind."
"I've got it, sir; he's loaded too," said one of the sailors.
"Forward then," cried the doctor.
"I can get on without your arm, sir," grumbled Ned now sturdily. "No, I
can't. Things turn round a bit somehow. Thank you, sir. I shall be
better directly."
At that moment there was a heavy concussion, and a rolling echo which
went reverberating up the gully toward the mountain top.
"One of the big guns," said Lenny. "That means a signal to come back."
"Then the black fellows are in sight there," cried Jack excitedly.
"Come on."
The start was made, with Ned making a brave effort to keep his legs, and
succeeding fairly well as they struggled on through the tangled growth,
Jack springing to the front, hunting-knife in hand, to slash away at
creepers and pendent vines which came in their way. But every now and
then the poor fellow stopped short.
"Bit touched in the wind, gentlemen," he said cheerily. "Go on again
directly. If there is a chance to get a mouthful of water I should like
it. If there ain't, never mind.--Off we goes."
The doctor said nothing, but supported him all he could, and they
started again, with Jack leading and the sailors forming their
rear-guard, retiring in regular military fashion, dividing themselves in
twos, one couple halting face to the enemy till the rest had gone on a
hundred yards and halted, and then trotting or rather forcing their way
along the track, to pass their companions and halt again.
Moment by moment an attack was expected, but it was not made, though
from time to time those in the rear caught sight of a black face peering
round the trunk of a tree, showing that they were followed.
At last as they descended they came to a spot where the stream in the
ravine could be reached, and the wounded man drank of the cool clear
water with feverish avidity, while the doctor frowned as Jack looked at
him with questioning eyes.
"Does take the conceit out of you, Mr Jack," said Ned, as they
continued their retreat. "I did think I was a better-plucked one than
this. Talk about a weak 'un; I'm downright ashamed of myself."
"Don't talk so much, my man," said the doctor. "Keep your breath for
the exertion."
"Cert'nly, sir. That's right," said the man in quick, excited tones.
"Won't say another word, only this. I should like to have just one pop
at the chap who shot me, and hit him in the same place. I'm ashamed to
see you working so hard, Mr Jack, sir. How far is it down to the
boat?"
"About a mile, Ned; but pray do as Doctor Instow says--keep quiet."
"Right, sir, I will," replied the man, setting his teeth hard, his drawn
face showing the agony he was in; and they went on descending, to be
startled by another heavy detonation.
"Another signal," said the doctor; but the words were hardly out of his
lips when there was a fresh report running up the gully, and being
multiplied in echoes which gradually died away.
"Those are not signals, Jack," said the doctor quietly. "It means an
attack upon the yacht by the canoes."
"Oh! and we not there," cried the lad excitedly.
"_Well_, the more lucky for us, eh?"
"Doctor Instow!" cried Jack indignantly; "when these men are wanted to
help defend the vessel. Pray, pray try and walk faster, Ned."
"Trying my best, sir, but I'm very shaky. Legs must be a regular pair
of cowards, sir, for they won't hurry a bit. Ah!"
The poor fellow reeled and would have fallen but for the doctor's strong
arm supporting him and letting him gently down.
Just then the regular short, sharp report of rifles reached their ears
from below, announcing that there was no mistake about an attack being
made upon their friends, and the anxiety of Jack and the doctor was
increased as they trembled for the fate of the two men left as keepers
of the boat in which they had come ashore.
"I hope they have escaped back to the yacht," said the doctor.
"They wouldn't do that," cried Jack indignantly. "But what is to be
done? Can't we make a sort of stretcher with two of the guns?"
"No," said the doctor, "it would take time; and the wood is too thick.
I'll carry him for a few hundred yards."
"Let me have first go, sir," cried Lenny. "You're tired. I'll take
him. Help me get him on my back, so as not to hurt his arm."
This was done, poor Ned remaining quite insensible; and once more they
began to descend through the solemn aisles of the forest, with the
sunshine coming through the leaves in showers of rays, while the firing
away below them kept rolling up to where they were.
After a time Lenny was relieved, and dropped into the rear-guard, and
this evolution was performed again and again, Jack still leading the
way, and hacking through some growing rope from time to time.
"Soon do it now, sir," said the man who was carrying. "Keep a good
heart, sir. That's the best o' being mates. Chap goes down, and
t'others 'll always carry him. Hullo! what, a'ready?" he continued, as
one of his companions came to relieve him. "I've only just begun."
"Don't be greedy, matey," said the new-comer with a grin. "You allus
was such a chap for wanting to have more 'n your share. Gently, let me
get under the poor chap here without hauling him about so. That's your
sort. Warm work, mate?"
"Tidy," said the man relieved with a grin. "Warmer where there's none."
On they went again with the relieved man taking his place ready for the
defence if called upon, and the fresh bearer toiling on as if there was
nothing to mind.
"Mustn't whistle, I suppose, Mr Jack?"
There was a shake of the head.
"S'pose not. Like letting the beggars know where we are. My word, how
things seem to grow here. Take some muscle to cut a good road. Say,
sir; think poor Ned here's much hurt?"
"Hurt a good deal, of course, but it can't be a dangerous wound."
"I dunno," said the man thoughtfully, after a few minutes' silence. "Is
he onsensible like, sir?"
"Yes, quite," said Jack, after a look at Ned's face.
"Can't hear what I say then, sir? I'm a bit afeard for him."
"Why?"
"Chap wouldn't go like this after a hole being made in his arm. I had a
bayonet through mine once, but it didn't turn me this way. Felt a bit
sick at first, but it made me feel hot and savage after."
"What do you mean?" said Jack, baring his head for a moment.
"Arrows, sir; poison."
"Ah!" ejaculated Jack in horror. "Then that's what made Doctor Instow
look so serious."
"That's it, sir. But don't you say anything. I dare say as soon as we
get aboard the doctor 'll put some of his acquy miracolus on it, and set
it right again. My word, they're having a good round with the niggers.
I do wish we were aboard in the fun. I don't like this running away."
The bottom of the forest slope at last, and now an open park-like
stretch lay between them and the patch of jungle which ran down to where
they had left the boat. But upon this being neared they could see no
sign of her.
Jack put a whistle to his lips and blew shrilly, but there was no sign
still, and his heart sank as they hurried on across the open part toward
the cover; and none too soon, for the party of blacks which had been
following them from where the first attack was made suddenly appeared at
the edge of the forest they had just left, and arrow after arrow came
whizzing by to stick in the shrubs and dense grass around.
"Don't stop to fire till we are in cover," cried the doctor, and they
kept on till they were once more hidden by the low jungle scrub, when at
the doctor's order four shots were fired amongst the trees from whence
the arrows kept coming.
These had their effect, and the missiles ceased falling, but a dark
figure appeared from time to time, and it was evident that the enemy
were running from cover to cover, so as to try and cut them off from the
shore.
Just, however, as this danger was growing imminent, there was a loud
hail from the part of the lagoon hidden from them by the low scrub.
"Here they are, sir," cried Lenny. "Then now for it, my lads; a sharp
run to the boat. Here, take my gun, some one. I'll carry him now."
"He's all right, sir," cried the man upon whose back Ned still hung, and
the bearer rose from his knees. "Some one take care as they don't spear
me, and I'll soon have him in the boat."
"Lead on, Jack," cried the doctor.
"All here?" said Jack.
"Yes. Forward."
The distance was short now, and in a few minutes they had put the low
growth between them and their enemies, and were running toward where the
boat, with its two keepers, was being backed on to the sand.
"Hooray!" panted Ned's bearer, as he waded in and let the poor fellow
glide over the gunwale of the boat, following directly after.
The others, as soon as Jack and the doctor were aboard, dropped their
rifles in, ran the boat out till they were waist deep, and then gave a
final thrust and slipped over, to seize their rifles again and squat
down ready to fire.
They were none too soon, for a party of about a dozen blacks, armed with
spears and bows and arrows, came into sight, and began to shoot.
"Give them a volley," said the doctor sternly. "Six of us. We can't be
merciful now."
The pieces were rested upon the sides of the boat, and the sharp rattle
of gun and rifle followed, Jack and the doctor firing both barrels of
their fowling-pieces, loaded with largish shot.
The effect was instantaneous. As the cloud of smoke rose, they could
see that two of the blacks were down, and several running wildly about
as if in terrible pain. Then the two fallen men were seized by the
wrists and dragged under cover, from which arrow after arrow was
discharged--fortunately without effect--till the vigorous strokes of the
oars took them beyond their reach, and toward where a dense cloud of
smoke hung over the lagoon, drifting slowly toward them in the soft
sea-breeze, and completely hiding the yacht.